Mile Highs and Lows: Capitol Hill Medicine Shoppe

[Ganjarden]

As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all straight, Westword will be offering a no-holds-barred look at what goes on behind these unusual operations' locked doors in "Mile Highs and Lows," a regular online review of dispensaries around the metro area and beyond.

​Capitol Hill Medicine Shoppe

Our take: Some people might consider it a bit uncouth that Capitol Hill Medicine Shoppe, true to its name, hung its shingle a stone's throw from the hallowed gold dome of the state capitol. Then again, this dispensary might've found the perfect spot. Considering all the budget woes and political bickering besetting our elected officials these days, surely more than a few of them could use the relaxing effects of what the dispensary has to offer.

​If any of those uptight mucky-mucks do stop by the Medicine Shoppe, they'll probably be pleased with what they find. While its name may suggest an old-timey pharmacy, the place has the clean, modern look of a doctor's office. A very, very small doctor's office, it should be noted -- though the owners make do with an open floor plan and lots of natural light.

This is a place that's all about the pot. While a friendly receptionist is more than willing to refer potential patients to an outside doctor who'll help them get their medical marijuana card (a guy who seems to be good friends with the owner, since the doctor calls for friendly chat during a recent visit), there are no medical or other services on site. There is marijuana, though -- lots of it. Twenty-two varieties, in fact as well as 52 kinds of pot edibles like lollipops, brownies and tinctures, boasts the pharmacist/owner, a guy who, according to a companion of mine who tagged along, resembles an Office Depot staffer in dress and demeanor.

​The guy apparently knows what he's talking about, though; he says he's been a caregiver for more than twenty years -- which means he's been one longer than it's been legal to play that role in any state in the country. To help newbies get up to speed, he offers a variety-pack sampler featuring seven-gram-size quantities of popular strains for $57. That's a bit on the steep side, though, as are many of his prices. If you'd rather save your green and grow your own, the Medicine Shoppe offers clones for $40 and feminized pot seedlings for $45.

While only three months old, the Medicine Shoppe recently sprouted two other Denver locations, including one on the 16th Street Mall. Too bad it didn't open a year earlier, though. If this joint had been around the capitol in 2008, surely Doug Bruce would've been WAAAY more chill.

​Capitol Hill Medicine Shoppe
1410 Grant Street, #B-104
Denver, Colorado 80204
Capital Hill Medicine Shoppe
303-993-5777

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday -Friday; closed weekends
Size: 1,100 square feet
Date opened: July 1, 2009
Clients: 100 registered patients, about 400 consistent customers
Patient services: Handicap accessible; delivery service available
Must customers make the dispensary their designated caregiver:
Raw marijuana price range: $98-$108 for a 1/4 ounce
Other types of medicine: Edibles, hash, tinctures, balms, lotions, clones



News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 Magazine
Source: WestWord
Author: Mae Coleman
Contact: WestWord
Copyright: 2009 Village Voice Media
Website: Mile Highs and Lows: Capitol Hill Medicine Shoppe